Grade 9 Math: how to help at home
What your child learns in Grade 9 math in the Nova Scotia Curriculum, and simple things to try at home.
The Big Ideas this year
- Number: Develop number sense.
- Patterns and Relations: Use patterns to describe the world and solve problems.
- Geometry: Describe the characteristics of 3-D objects and 2-D shapes, and analyse the relationships among them.
- Statistics and Probability: Collect, display and analyse data to solve problems, and use probability to represent and solve problems involving uncertainty.
Easy ways to practise math at home
- Look for fractions, decimals and percentages in sale signs, sports statistics and recipes.
- Ask your child to explain a problem to you as if you were the student.
- Estimate first (the bill, the trip time), then check with a calculator.
- Keep a tricky-problems list and revisit it every few days instead of re-doing everything.
What each unit covers
Exponents & Powers
Evaluating powers, using the product, quotient and power laws, working with powers of products and fractions, and order of operations with exponents.
Rational Numbers
Adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing fractions and decimals that may be negative, converting between fractions and decimals, ordering rational numbers, and using BEDMAS.
Linear Relations
Finding slope from points and graphs, reading y = mx + b, finding intercepts, deciding whether a point is on a line, spotting parallel lines, and using rates of change in stories.
Multi-Step Equations
Solving linear equations with brackets, fractions and variables on both sides, checking solutions, and turning word problems into equations.
Polynomials
Naming polynomials by terms and degree, combining like terms, subtracting polynomials, multiplying and dividing by a constant, and substituting values for x.
Surface Area of Objects
Finding the surface area of a rectangular prism, of two solids joined together (taking away the faces that are hidden), and of a cylinder written in terms of π.
Statistics in Society
Telling a population from a sample, spotting bias in who is asked and how, predicting from a sample, noticing misleading graphs, and why correlation is not causation.
What the report card levels look like at home
- Minimal
- Just getting started with this idea. Short, regular practice with lots of support helps most.
- Satisfactory
- Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practising the tricky parts.
- Good
- Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Very good to excellent
- Applies it confidently, even in new or harder situations. Try challenge mode and real-life problems.
Your child’s teacher decides the level on the report card. Read the Nova Scotia report card guide.
Common questions
Look for fractions, decimals and percentages in sale signs, sports statistics and recipes. Ask your child to explain a problem to you as if you were the student. Keep sessions short, about 10 to 15 minutes, and stop on a success.
The Nova Scotia Curriculum Grade 9 math units include exponents & powers, rational numbers, linear relations, multi-step equations, polynomials, surface area of objects.
Free printable Grade 9 math practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.